State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

General144

  • Power Transition and Collaboration in China

    Power Transition and Collaboration in China

    It is political season in two of the world’s largest economies. People around the world are closely watching as leadership transition in China will have global implications. China has been a hot topic in the U.S. presidential campaign, mentioned 53 times in the presidential debates. Both candidates took a tough stance and proposed to push…

  • Putting Up Weather Station Chimborazo

    Putting Up Weather Station Chimborazo

    Changes in glacier mass will have significant social and economic consequences for cities around Chimborazo and I’m hoping the specially built weather station will shed more light on the climate factors contributing to glacier loss.

  • Open House: Professional Development Program in Environmental Sustainability

    Open House: Professional Development Program in Environmental Sustainability

    The Earth Institute’s Professional Development Program in Environmental Sustainability provides three graduate credits in human ecology coupled with curriculum development for the secondary school classroom. The Program is designed to support educators in increasing their understanding of the inquiry process and environmental sustainability in the urban context that is New York City; and, then integrate…

  • Now Accepting Applications for Spring 2013 Sustainability Management Curriculum Grading Assistants

    Columbia University’s Columbia’s School of Continuing Education and the Earth Institute are seeking Curriculum and Grading Assistants (CGAs) for a number of Sustainability Management courses for the spring 2013 semester. CGAs are responsible for attending class sessions, holding weekly office hours for students, addressing student inquiries, reviewing course material with the instructor, and assisting in…

  • Cotopaxi Skies

    Cotopaxi Skies

    Because of Cotopaxi’s almost perfectly conic shape, the climb appears be a straight line to the top. It isn’t. In fact, the climb winds past spires of ice and vast blue crevasses the size of small canyons. Cotopaxi is a beautiful mountain.

  • Reflections on an Ecological Study Abroad Experience

    Reflections on an Ecological Study Abroad Experience

    “Everything is so alive in the forest. After a nice summer rain it teems with insects, birds and the famous coquis, Puerto Rico’s native frogs. The song of the coquis take a little getting used to, but they soon lull you to sleep in the humid nights,” says Jennifer Mendez, a student in the first…

  • Sachs Receives ‘Inspiration’ Award

    Sachs Receives ‘Inspiration’ Award

    Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute, received the Dag Hammarskjold Inspiration Award of the Dag Hammarskjold Fund for Journalists at the United Nations on Nov. 13. He joins a list of recipients that includes UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson, Her Majesty Queen Noor, and Mia Farrow, among others.

  • Map Publisher to Global Resource Manager

    Map Publisher to Global Resource Manager

    “Over the course of the last five years, I became more sensitive to the topographical changes and shifting cultural identities of the Caribbean countries that I was promoting. I sensed a deepening crisis regarding our natural resources and the use of them in the pursuit of development.” Current student Jessica Bensley joined the MPA in…

  • Getting Better Prepared for the Next Big Storm

    Getting Better Prepared for the Next Big Storm

    Super Storm Sandy was an unusually powerful and destructive storm because of a rare constellation of factors, but scientists predict that we can expect more extreme weather events due to the effects of climate change. Has the super storm made us take warnings about extreme weather more seriously?

Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

  • Power Transition and Collaboration in China

    Power Transition and Collaboration in China

    It is political season in two of the world’s largest economies. People around the world are closely watching as leadership transition in China will have global implications. China has been a hot topic in the U.S. presidential campaign, mentioned 53 times in the presidential debates. Both candidates took a tough stance and proposed to push…

  • Putting Up Weather Station Chimborazo

    Putting Up Weather Station Chimborazo

    Changes in glacier mass will have significant social and economic consequences for cities around Chimborazo and I’m hoping the specially built weather station will shed more light on the climate factors contributing to glacier loss.

  • Open House: Professional Development Program in Environmental Sustainability

    Open House: Professional Development Program in Environmental Sustainability

    The Earth Institute’s Professional Development Program in Environmental Sustainability provides three graduate credits in human ecology coupled with curriculum development for the secondary school classroom. The Program is designed to support educators in increasing their understanding of the inquiry process and environmental sustainability in the urban context that is New York City; and, then integrate…

  • Now Accepting Applications for Spring 2013 Sustainability Management Curriculum Grading Assistants

    Columbia University’s Columbia’s School of Continuing Education and the Earth Institute are seeking Curriculum and Grading Assistants (CGAs) for a number of Sustainability Management courses for the spring 2013 semester. CGAs are responsible for attending class sessions, holding weekly office hours for students, addressing student inquiries, reviewing course material with the instructor, and assisting in…

  • Cotopaxi Skies

    Cotopaxi Skies

    Because of Cotopaxi’s almost perfectly conic shape, the climb appears be a straight line to the top. It isn’t. In fact, the climb winds past spires of ice and vast blue crevasses the size of small canyons. Cotopaxi is a beautiful mountain.

  • Reflections on an Ecological Study Abroad Experience

    Reflections on an Ecological Study Abroad Experience

    “Everything is so alive in the forest. After a nice summer rain it teems with insects, birds and the famous coquis, Puerto Rico’s native frogs. The song of the coquis take a little getting used to, but they soon lull you to sleep in the humid nights,” says Jennifer Mendez, a student in the first…

  • Sachs Receives ‘Inspiration’ Award

    Sachs Receives ‘Inspiration’ Award

    Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute, received the Dag Hammarskjold Inspiration Award of the Dag Hammarskjold Fund for Journalists at the United Nations on Nov. 13. He joins a list of recipients that includes UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson, Her Majesty Queen Noor, and Mia Farrow, among others.

  • Map Publisher to Global Resource Manager

    Map Publisher to Global Resource Manager

    “Over the course of the last five years, I became more sensitive to the topographical changes and shifting cultural identities of the Caribbean countries that I was promoting. I sensed a deepening crisis regarding our natural resources and the use of them in the pursuit of development.” Current student Jessica Bensley joined the MPA in…

  • Getting Better Prepared for the Next Big Storm

    Getting Better Prepared for the Next Big Storm

    Super Storm Sandy was an unusually powerful and destructive storm because of a rare constellation of factors, but scientists predict that we can expect more extreme weather events due to the effects of climate change. Has the super storm made us take warnings about extreme weather more seriously?